We’re Going to Detroit, Michigan!

Today we’re excited to announce Detroit as BlueCity #85 and our 51st nonstop destination from Boston, where we’re the largest carrier. We’ll begin Detroit service on March 10, 2014, when we’ll enter the market with three daily E190 flights between BOS and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW).

Right now, the average cost for a roundtrip BOS-DTW flight is $526, which we see as an opportunity. A recent study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology shows that over the last five years our entrance into a new market has influenced airfares more than any other domestic carrier.

We’re happy to play ball in this great Midwestern city by pitching customers wallet-friendly fares –- by the way, if you’ve been following the American League Championship Series, then you know the Detroit Tigers are tied with the Boston Red Sox in the seven-game series. Let’s see what happens in game three!

This is an important route for not only our Boston business travelers, but also for international customers who can connect in Boston through our interline partners. In fact, our Detroit service will begin the same day Emirates launches brand new nonstop Dubai-Boston flights. The greater Detroit area is home to one of the largest Arab-American communities in the country, so our Emirates partnership is particularly relevant for this route and valuable to Detroit customers.

It’s only taken our President and CEO Dave, who hails from Detroit, Michigan, 13 years to get home on JetBlue. Today’s announcement hits particularly close to home for Dave – literally. Here, Dave talks hot dogs, history, and to-do’s in Detroit:

BlueTales: Justin Verlander recently pitched a brilliant game to catapult the Detroit Tigers into the American League Championship Series against the Red Sox. We sponsor the Red Sox, but you’re a Tigers fan. Pray tell –- who are you rooting for in the postseason?

Dave Barger: #I’mnotansweringthis. But seriously, it’s an exciting series and they’re both great teams – may the best one win.

BT: If someone only had 24 hours in the city, which sites would you tell them to visit?

DB: To start, be sure to catch a sporting event. Whether it’s the Tigers, Pistons, Red Wings, or the Lions, there are a host of options. The Henry Ford Museum, which is actually in Dearborn, Michigan just outside of Detroit is home to countless pieces of American history. Then, swing through Windsor, Ontario – the only place where Canada is geographically south of the U.S. I’d also recommend the Detroit Institute of Arts, which is known for having an incredibly diverse collection of art, and the Motown Museum. Lastly, visit Ann Arbor – it’s such a great college town.

Credit: Historic Vehicle Association

BT: Let’s talk grub. What’s a Detroit staple?

DB: Coney Dogs. They’re beef hot dogs topped with all-meat beanless chili, white onion, and yellow mustard. There are different variations of them depending on the vendor, but they’re not to be missed if you’re in Michigan. You can even get them at the airport.

BT: Detroit people are known for being _______.

DB: After filing for bankruptcy this summer – the largest bankruptcy of a municipality in the U.S. – the people have been challenged in so many ways as rebuilding takes place. But they’re resilient and always have been. During World War II, Detroit was one of FDR’s “Arsenal of Democracy” cities, which were major industrial cities tasked with manufacturing military supplies to support the Allied powers. Detroit’s automobile industry played a big role in this. Musical powerhouses like Aretha Franklin, Kid Rock, and Bob Seger all have connections to Detroit and represent the city’s tenacity during tough times.

BT: Tell us about something that happened to you that could only happen in Detroit.

DB: Again, it’s about resilience for me. I was nine-years-old when the Detroit Riots of 1967 took place. I remember seeing tanks on the streets with the National Guard, which was such a formative moment for me. Then, just a year later, the Tigers won the World Series in 1968 and mass euphoria spread through the city. It’s amazing how quickly the people of Detroit can bounce back.

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